Search canberratimes:

Search in:

PM 'grateful' for soldiers' survival

Prime Minister John Howard says he breathes a sigh of relief every time Australian soldiers overseas survive a dangerous incident.

He was speaking following an accident in Iraq in which an Australian armoured vehicle rolled over, causing minor injuries to five soldiers.

Mr Howard said he thinks every day of Australian troops overseas.

"I have it on my mind every day because I'm the bloke who sends troops overseas. In the end it's my responsibility and it's something I think about on a very regular basis," Mr Howard told Sky News.

Advertisement

"We have been very lucky and we just should hope and pray that luck continues. They are also very well trained but they have also been very fortunate."

Mr Howard said Australian soldiers were very skilful and interacted well with local people.

"It's one of their great assets. They understand the hearts and minds business better than any," he said.

In the latest incident, which happened at 11am local time (1700 AEST) on Thursday, an eight-wheeled Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) from the Overwatch Battle Group (OBG) based at Tallil, southern Iraq, rolled over during a routine patrol.

Australian Defence Force spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said the ASLAV was manoeuvring within a levee-based irrigation system when it tipped over.

One soldier sustained minor upper body injuries and remained in a coalition medical facility for observation.

The four other soldiers suffered minor abrasions and bruising, consistent with being inside a large, combat-loaded vehicle as it rolled over.

Brigadier Nikolic said these four soldiers had been released from medical care and were expected to return to operational duties soon.

He said the soldier in medical care was also expected to be released shortly.

"No Iraqi nationals or other Coalition personnel were involved in the accident," he said in a statement.

The ASLAV was later recovered without incident and will be assessed for damage.

Brigadier Nikolic said the soldiers' next of kin had been notified. Their names won't be released.

Mr Howard said it was fortunate there were no serious injuries.

"The vehicle rolled over and there were some minor injuries sustained and my advice is the same as has been publicly announced and that is that the five people are OK," he said.

"It's just a reminder that things can happen no matter where people are stationed around the world. But they seem to be OK and thankfully there are no serious injuries."

So far just one serving Australian soldier, Private Jake Kovco, has died in Iraq. He received fatal injuries in a mishap involving his issue handgun.

A number of other Australians, working as private security guards or serving with the armed forces of other nations, also have died in Iraq.